No policy area in Australia is in greater need of major reform than taxation.

The current tax system is failing Australians on many fronts. It’s central to three of the country’s biggest problems – intergenerational inequality, poor productivity growth and an unsustainable budget.

Proponents of tax reform were understandably excited when the government announced an Economic Reform Roundtable with three main “themes” – to increase productivity, build resilience, and strengthen the budget.

Finally, a government was prepared to grapple with the undeniable challenges of tax reform.

Unfortunately, the excitement’s been short-lived. After a brief period of Australia’s favourite on the table, off the table policy game, it’s become apparent that tax reform is not an urgent priority for this government.

When questioned by a reporter last week, Anthony Albanese replied, “the only tax policy that we’re implementing is the one that we took to the election”.

“No surprises”, at least on the domestic front, is a key feature of his political strategy. If the Roundtable does produce any good tax ideas, the best we can hope for is that Albanese will put them to voters at the next election.

Unlike Tony Abbott, he prefers to ask for permission, not forgiveness.

Liberal Senator James Paterson effectively endorsed the........

© Pearls and Irritations